Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Liu Qingyun showed no concern for the so-called official positions and said with a gentle smile on his face, "Fame and fortune are but passing clouds to me. I descended from the mountain to help Big Brother Lu, to avenge the deep-seated hatred of my clan, and to seek the opportunity for Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment.

Once these matters are resolved, I will return to my master's side to continue my cultivation."

It was then that Lu Zhang realized Liu Qingyun was different from them; they were ordinary people in pursuit of fame and wealth. Having been accustomed to luxury from a young age and having faced great adversity, Liu Qingyun had long developed a detached perspective, and his descent from the mountain was merely to settle karmic debts.

The news of Lu Zhang ascending the throne in Zhongzhou rapidly spread in all directions, which was like a bolt from the blue for the already teetering Great Chen Dynasty.

Even the most isolated and uninformed realized that change was imminent upon hearing the news of Lu Zhang's enthronement.

Yet, Lu Zhang was neither hurried nor flustered. He did not rush to attack the Great Chen but chose to halt the war, recuperate, and strive to heal the scars caused by the conflict.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Born into poverty, he could empathize with the suffering of the people. A hard life had forged his resilient character, and after eating the yellow apricots from his family's courtyard, he was bursting with energy. Thus, his diligent governance was almost unseemly, causing his officials who were ready to shirk their duties immense distress.

However, it was precisely because of his attentive work that Zhongzhou gradually regained its vitality. Displaced citizens, having gained their own land, showed an unimaginable passion. Moreover, with the disappearance of various disasters over the past two years and the favorable weather, the crops were bountiful each year, briefly creating a scene reminiscent of a golden age.

During the peak of summer, the wheat in Zhongzhou had turned golden, and the farmers, with straw hats on their heads, braved the scorching sun, rushing to harvest the wheat. Thunderstorms were frequent in this season, and laziness could lead to a heavy loss of the mature wheat. For these poor citizens who had endured hunger, wasting food was a crime.

Even young boys were called out by their parents to work in the fields. Everyone was bustling with activity, yet their faces were brimming with happy smiles—the peace they had not seen in many years.

"I can never tire of watching this scene!" Lu Zhang, looking at the busy people in the fields, couldn't help but express his emotions.

Lu Zhang also often followed the elders of his family to work the fields in his youth, but he was too young at that time, so the elders did not force him; he was always just tagging along.

Unfortunately, after his uncle left to study and never returned, his family faced disaster, and he never had the chance to engage with these activities again. Now, seeing this peaceful scene, he felt a sense of otherworldliness.

"Your Majesty has worked diligently with great effect, and these are the fruits of Your Majesty's virtue," Hu Shengliang, stroking his sparse beard, said with a smile.

"Ha ha, what can I accomplish alone? It's all thanks to the strong support of all of you that this scene has been made possible," Lu Zhang did not take credit for himself, knowing well his capable subordinates had also been racking their brains over these past two years.

Speaking of this, the group felt a sense of pride. After all, to have such a peaceful scene in such a short time was no small feat, and they were certainly indispensable.

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"It seems like it's time to sweep the Great Chen into the long river of history," Lu Zhang muttered as he picked up a plump ear of wheat, rubbed the ripe kernels out with his hand, popped one into his mouth, and savored the aroma spreading in his mouth.

In the autumn of the third year since the founding of Great Chu, Lu Zhang, appointing Liu Qingyun as Vanguard General, led a hundred thousand troops to pressure the last stronghold of Chen Kingdom—Jingzhou.

When the news reached Fengjing, the Imperial Court of the Great Chen Dynasty was in an uproar. The Chen Kingdom had long been in decline, its vitality waning like the setting sun over West Mountain. Its former dominance had vanished.

Furthermore, with the King neglecting state affairs, and the court filled with officials merely painting a facade of peace, the righteous had become utterly disillusioned with the government.

As Lu Zhang's star ascended, everyone realized that the end of Great Chen was near. For those noble families in Fengjing, clinging to the sinking ship of Great Chen had become meaningless. Their urgent priority was to find ways to cozy up to Lu Zhang.

Thus, a peculiar phenomenon emerged. The commoners within the city were anxious and lost, while the major noble families were secretly colluding to sell out Great Chen for a handsome price. Meanwhile, the King of Great Chen remained immersed in his hedonistic pleasures, completely oblivious to the turmoil outside.

Liu Qingyun led the troops toward the Capital of Great Chen, Fengjing, sweeping through every territory with unstoppable momentum. The ease of their advance left him speechless, hardly recognizing the once-powerful Great Chen.

Through the mountain ranges, a plain lay before them, with the winding Heng River cutting across. At the end of the plain stood a majestic city, sprawled out like a giant beast casting a vast shadow on the land.

A deep sense of historical gravity washed over him, the essence of eras settled over time. This was a magnificent city, the Capital of Great Chen, and the most prosperous center of the entire dynasty.

Liu Qingyun had often dreamed of arriving at Fengjing with his troops. He still remembered how his father and family were publicly beheaded within these city walls. He would soon avenge the blood feud of his clan. He had thought he would relish the moment, yet now, he felt only a sense of desolation.

Inside the splendid palace of Fengjing City, the King of Great Chen smashed his beloved vase, roaring in anger, "Are those generals all pigheads, allowing Liu Qingyun to reach the Capital so easily? After being nurtured by Great Chen all these years, is this how you repay the Imperial Court?"

The hall was eerily silent; everyone's minds were no longer on the palace. What mattered to them was preserving their family's prosperity, not the life or death of the Court. Who cared who they served as subjects? If necessary, they could just say, "A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in."

Looking down at his indifferent courtiers, the King, gripping his throbbing forehead, asked, "The enemy is at our gates. Which General wishes to fight?"

However, those generals, usually so passionately eloquent, now hung their heads low, fearful of catching the King's eye—after all, how could they, accustomed to a life of privilege, go into battle?

"Your Majesty, this old servant is willing to go!" An elderly voice broke the heavy silence. An old general with white hair and beard emerged from the crowd. This was Sun Ping, a veteran of Great Chen who had spent his life on military campaigns. Having grown old and resting at home, it was only now, with the dire situation, that he was willing to drag his ailing body into the fray.

Seeing the aged general before him, the King's eyes unexpectedly moistened. He had not anticipated that, at the final hour, it would be this old soldier willing to face death and accept this grave responsibility.